Common Issues With Water Heater Pilot Lights
If you have chosen to have a water heater that is powered by gas or propane, you’ll need to pay close attention to the water heater’s pilot light to ensure it is going strong day and night. Unfortunately, evekepp the sameeen if you have the best water heater on the market today, it’s possible you may experience pilot light problems. When the pilot light does go out, there can be many reasons why this has occurred. While it is possible to light it yourself, you should only do so if you know why it went out in the first place and you are comfortable performing this task.
If you’re ready to learn more about water heater pilot light problems and other issues about water heater maintenance, our team here at Boss Plumbing has put together everything you need to know.
What is a Water Heater Pilot Light?
When you have a gas water heater instead of an electric version, you should think of your water heater’s pilot light as a match. The main job of the pilot light is to light your water heater’s burner. If this does not happen, you won’t have any hot water. On many occasions, we find that customers who have older water heaters that are at least 10-15 years old begin to experience pilot light issues on a regular basis. If this sounds like you and your water heater, it may be time to consult with us here at Boss Plumbing about our water heater services to determine if your gas water heater needs repairs or if you should have a new water heater installed in your home.
Do All Water Heaters Have a Pilot Light?
This is an easy question to answer. Only gas or propane water heaters are equipped with pilot lights. As you’ve probably guessed by now, electric water heaters generate heat for your home’s water through your home’s main power source, which means it is connected to the breaker box. Since having a pilot light go out will mean you won’t have any hot water to do laundry, dishes, or take a shower, we recommend you make water heater maintenance services a top priority each and every year. Even if you have recently installed a new water heater in your home, having it serviced regularly will ensure small problems can be detected and fixed before they become major issues or emergencies.
Common Problems with Gas Water Heaters
With almost any type of gas water heater on the market today, we here at Boss Plumbing find that pilot light water heater problems are quite common. In fact, should your water heater’s pilot light go out or refuse to come on altogether, there can be a variety of reasons for this problem.
Ineffective Thermocouple In Need of Cleaning
Most of the time when we are called to homes here in Los Angeles to do plumbing repairs on gas water heaters, the main source of the problem is the water heater’s thermocouple going bad. The tip of the water heater’s thermocouple is always exposed to the direct flame from the pilot light. Over time, the thermocouple’s tip can experience a significant carbon buildup, which can make it ineffective. Should we find this to be the problem with your water heater, our technicians can clean the thermocouple and have it working as it should in no time.
Broken Thermocouple Requiring Replacement
However, if the water heater’s thermocouple is severely kinked or has broken, replacing the thermocouple or installing a new water heater will be your only options. In recent years, we have found many of our customers have decided to switch to tankless water heaters that take up much less space and heat water only on demand, which can help to reduce energy bills each month.
Malfunction Flex Tube or Gas Control Valve
Other problems that may arise with your gas water heater that can affect the pilot light include the water heater having a malfunctioning flex tube or it having issues with the main gas control valve. When either of these problems are the cause of your water heater’s pilot light problems, it is best to let our highly-trained and experienced technicians here at Boss Plumbing make the necessary repairs. Remember that if you are not sure of what you are doing when working on a gas water heater, whether you’re servicing a tankless gas water heater or one that features a traditional tank, the smallest mistake could lead to a catastrophe.
Should You Light the Pilot Light Yourself or Call a Plumber?
Here at Boss Plumbing, we always recommend that our customers err on the side of caution when it comes to their gas water heaters. Whether you have a leaking water heater or one that is making strange noises that have you a bit unnerved, never try to do anything as a DIY project that you are not completely comfortable doing from the outset.
As to whether you should light the pilot light yourself or call on a professional plumber to do it for you, you can easily do it yourself if you are comfortable doing so. To do so, you’ll just need to follow a few simple steps. First, keep in mind that the pilot light on almost all gas water heaters is located at the bottom of the heater. Once you locate the pilot light by removing the access panel, turn the dial to the “off” position and wait 10 minutes to let any excess gas clear out.
Next, turn the pilot dial to “pilot” and allow gas to start flowing to the pilot light. As this happens, light the pilot light with a lighter or match, while at the same time holding the knob in place to make sure the flame to the pilot light will stay lit. Once you’re sure of this, turn the dial to “on” and replace the access panel, since your job is done.
Contact Us Today for Gas Water Heater Service
When you need residential plumbing services at your Los Angeles home, always make your first call to us here at Boss Plumbing. Since we have more than thirty years of experience in all types of plumbing services involving gas water heaters and many other things as well, we can be your one-stop shop for any and all plumbing services you may need. Whether you need to have your water heater winterized or have questions about that pilot light that just won’t stay on, contacting us today will soon have your problem solved at an affordable price.
